Medical marijuana, with curbs

New law allows non-smokable versions, but it won't be available for at least 18 months

Associated Press

Associated Press

Updated 12:24 pm, Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Politicians and supporters celebrate after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, center, signed a ceremonial bill to establish a medical marijuana program in New York, Monday, July 7, 2014. New York has become the 23rd state in the U.S. to authorize medical marijuana, though the state's program is one of the nation's most restrictive. Cuomo signed the measure into law on Saturday and held the formal signing ceremony on Monday to highlight the new law. When the program gets up and running in about 18 months, patients with diseases including AIDS, cancer and epilepsy will be able to obtain non-smokeable versions of the drug. Instead, the drug must be ingested or administered through a vaporizer or oil base. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) ORG XMIT: NYSW109

Politicians and supporters celebrate after New York Governor Andrew...

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, second from right, gets some help from Amanda Houser, 10, while signing a ceremonial bill to establish a medical marijuana program in New York, Monday, July 7, 2014. New York has become the 23rd state in the U.S. to authorize medical marijuana, though the state's program is one of the nation's most restrictive. Cuomo signed the measure into law on Saturday and held the formal signing ceremony on Monday to highlight the new law. When the program gets up and running in about 18 months, patients with diseases including AIDS, cancer and epilepsy will be able to obtain non-smokeable versions of the drug. Instead, the drug must be ingested or administered through a vaporizer or oil base. Houser, who has Dravet syndrome, may benefit from medical marijuana.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig) ORG XMIT: NYSW107

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, second from right, gets some help...

While politicians and supporters look on, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, center, signs a ceremonial bill to establish a medical marijuana program in New York, Monday, July 7, 2014. New York has become the 23rd state in the U.S. to authorize medical marijuana, though the state's program is one of the nation's most restrictive. Cuomo signed the measure into law on Saturday and held the formal signing ceremony on Monday to highlight the new law. When the program gets up and running in about 18 months, patients with diseases including AIDS, cancer and epilepsy will be able to obtain non-smokeable versions of the drug. Instead, the drug must be ingested or administered through a vaporizer or oil base. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) ORG XMIT: NYSW106

While politicians and supporters look on, New York Governor Andrew...

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks during a ceremonial bill signing in New York, Monday, July 7, 2014. New York has become the 23rd state in the U.S. to authorize medical marijuana, though the state's program is one of the nation's most restrictive. Cuomo signed the measure into law on Saturday and held the formal signing ceremony on Monday to highlight the new law. When the program gets up and running in about 18 months, patients with diseases including AIDS, cancer and epilepsy will be able to obtain non-smokeable versions of the drug. Instead, the drug must be ingested or administered through a vaporizer or oil base. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) ORG XMIT: NYSW104

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks during a ceremonial bill...

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks during a ceremonial bill signing in New York, Monday, July 7, 2014. New York has become the 23rd state in the U.S. to authorize medical marijuana, though the state's program is one of the nation's most restrictive. Cuomo signed the measure into law on Saturday and held the formal signing ceremony on Monday to highlight the new law. When the program gets up and running in about 18 months, patients with diseases including AIDS, cancer and epilepsy will be able to obtain non-smokeable versions of the drug. Instead, the drug must be ingested or administered through a vaporizer or oil base. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) ORG XMIT: NYSW105

New York has become the 23rd state to authorize marijuana as a medical treatment — though it will have one of the most restrictive programs in the country.

Under legislation signed into law on Saturday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, patients with one of 10 diseases will be able to get non-smokable versions of the drug.

The law requires medical marijuana be ingested or vaporized. Detailed rules on how the drug would be administered will be worked out by the state health department, but distribution of actual plant material will be prohibited to discourage recreational use.

The law "gets us the best that medical marijuana has to offer in the most protected, controlled way possible," Cuomo, a Democrat, said Monday at a ceremonial bill-signing in New York City.

Some advocates argue the law is too restrictive, however, and said they'll push lawmakers to expand it. Of the 23 states with medical marijuana laws, only one — Minnesota — prohibits the smokable drug. Advocates also say the state should allow people with more kinds of illnesses to utilize the program.

"It's a first step and it's an important step that will improve thousands of peoples' lives," Karen O'Keefe, director of state operations at the Washington D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project, said of New York's law. "But it will leave others out."

The first medication isn't expected to be available for at least 18 months.

Maryanne Houser said medical marijuana could help her daughter Amanda, who has a seizure disorder. Houser said she's heard that cannabis oil has helped children with similar conditions in Colorado.

"We can't get the oil here, and if we do it's illegal," she said. "We're waiting to get it the right way."

For Polly VanderWoude, the new law means a new chance for her daughter Olivia, 3, who has a rare disorder that causes daily, potentially deadly seizures. VanderWoude brought Olivia — riding in a stroller — to Monday's bill signing.

The possibility her daughter could go just a day without a seizure would be "huge," VanderWoude said, before turning to Olivia to say: "You know we would do anything for you."